New Delhi
Raksha Bandhan – Friday, 28 August 2026
Raksha Bandhan 2026 – date and timings by city
About Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan on Shravana Purnima celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters tie a rakhi and brothers promise to protect them.
Rakhi is tied in the afternoon (Aparahna) and never during Bhadra, so the time window matters as much as the date.
How the date is fixed
It is kept on the day the tithi is present in the afternoon (Aparahna), the fourth of the five parts of the day.
Story and meaning of Raksha Bandhan
A story from the Mahabharata says that when Krishna hurt his finger, Draupadi tore a strip from her sari and tied it on his wrist. Krishna promised to protect her, and later kept his word during the disrobing in the Kaurava court. Another account tells of Indrani tying a protective thread on Indra before his fight with the demons. Rakhi stands for the promise of protection and love.
Raksha Bandhan puja vidhi
- Prepare a thali with rakhi, roli, akshat (rice), a lamp, sweets and a coconut.
- Tie the rakhi in the muhurat shown above, avoiding Bhadra.
- Apply tilak on the brother's forehead, tie the rakhi on his right wrist and do aarti.
- Feed him sweets. He gives a gift and promises to protect his sister.
Questions people ask
When is Raksha Bandhan in 2026?
Raksha Bandhan is on Friday, 28 August 2026 (as per New Delhi).
How is the date of Raksha Bandhan decided?
It is kept on the day the tithi is present in the afternoon (Aparahna), the fourth of the five parts of the day.
Can I tie rakhi during Bhadra?
No. Bhadra is avoided, so the muhurat above starts when Bhadra ends.